|
 |
|
Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
|
Update on Increasing Incidence
of Contact Lens Related Fungal Corneal Infections |
|
|
|
|
The Ministry of Health has been actively
working with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the SNEC to
investigate the cause of the recent increased incidence of contact lens
related fungal corneal infections. |
|
Our findings thus far, based on the 18 of
the 19 cases reported by SNEC (one patient is currently overseas) are as
follows: |
- All 18 patients used disposable contact
lenses. These lenses ranged from daily disposable lens to monthly disposable
lens and came from a variety of manufacturers.
- A significant number of patients had a history
of poor contact lens practice. For example 13 of the 18 patients had used
expired lenses while 11 wore contact lenses while taking naps.
- All 18 patients reported using Bausch and
Lomb's ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution.
|
|
The Ministry of Health strongly advises all contact
lens users to practise proper contact lens care as advised by their contact lens
practitioners (key points to note are located at the Annex below). |
|
While the above findings indicate
association rather than causation, in view of the potentially serious
adverse visual consequences of fungal corneal infection, it would be
prudent, as a precautionary measure, for contact lens users to
discontinue using Bausch and Lomb's ReNu multipurpose contact lens
solution for the time being, until the causes behind this recent
increase in infections can be more clearly ascertained. Contact lens
users may wish, in the meantime, to use spectacles instead. |
|
Further investigations are underway to
establish the cause of the infection. We will keep the public informed
of any further developments. |
|
Annex: Proper Use of Contact Lens |
- Practise proper contact lens cleaning
and care regimes. Lenses must be rubbed with the fingers and rinsed
thoroughly before soaking overnight in a multi-purpose solution.
- Disposable contact lenses must not be
used beyond their recommended disposal period.
- The multi-purpose solution in the lens
storage case must be changed everyday even if the lenses are not used
daily.
- Contact lens storage cases should be
replaced at least every three months.
- Users should stop wearing the lenses
if they develop any redness, blurring of vision or pain of the eye and
to seek consultation with a doctor or contact lens practitioner.
|
|
Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 20
Feb 2006 |
|
Previous News Release: |
|
Public Alert on Increasing
Incidence of Contact Lens Related Fungal Corneal Infections |
|
The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like
to alert the public to the increasing incidence of contact lens
related fungal corneal infections. The Singapore National Eye Centre
(SNEC) had noticed a spike of 7 cases of fungal corneal infections
in January this year. |
|
A retrospective review of cases in SNEC
revealed a total of 19 patients had been treated at SNEC for culture
positive fungal corneal infections due to the Fusarium fungus
species since May 2005 (ie about one to two cases per month). The
Ministry was further notified this week of 3 new cases in Changi
General Hospital. |
|
The high incidence of fungal corneal
infections is unprecedented as most corneal infections related to
contact lens use had previously been bacterial in nature. Fungal
infections of the cornea are also more difficult to treat and can
have adverse visual consequences if diagnosed and treated late. |
|
Some of the patients have suffered
significant loss of vision in the affected eye as a result of the
fungal corneal infection. Three patients had to undergo urgent
corneal transplantation. |
|
All the patients used disposable soft
contact lenses, which were cleaned and stored with multi-purpose
contact lens solution. 18 of the 19 patients seen by SNEC as well as
the 3 patients from CGH reported that they had used Bausch and
Lomb's ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution. Health Sciences
Authority (HSA) has notified Bausch and Lomb of the association with
ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution. |
|
The Ministry of Health is working with
the HSA and the SNEC to investigate the cause of the increased
incidence of contact lens related fungal corneal infections. HSA is
following up with Bausch and Lomb to investigate the association
with ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution. |
|
MOH and the Contact Lens Practitioners'
Board (CLPB) have also alerted medical practitioners and contact
lens practitioners to be on the look out for suspicion of potential
fungal infections of the cornea and refer the lens user to an
ophthalmologist early. |
|
The CLPB reminds contact lens users of
the following: |
- Practise proper contact lens
cleaning and care regimes. Lenses must be rubbed with the fingers
and rinsed thoroughly before soaking overnight in a multi-purpose
solution.
- Disposable contact lenses must not
be used beyond their recommended disposal period.
- The multi-purpose solution in the
lens storage case must be changed everyday even if the lenses are
not used daily.
- Contact lens storage cases should
be replaced at least every three months.
- Users should stop wearing the
lenses if they develop any redness, blurring of vision or pain of
the eye and to seek consultation with a doctor or contact lens
practitioner.
- Alternatively contact lens users
may wish to use spectacles instead for the time being.
|
|
The Ministry of Health strongly advises all
contact lens users to heed the above advisory, and will keep the public
informed of any further developments. |
|
Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 17
Feb 2006 |
|
 |
|
Important
Notice |
|
Our FrontPage
Editions are a historical record of our Web site and reflect
the changing of the times, and also of our Web site through
time. We do not and will not update the links and stories on
these FrontPages even if they have become obsolete. |
|
FrontPage Edition: Tue 21 Feb 2006
All rights reserved
